Φως στη σκηνή/The stage exposed

6 | ADDRESS By THE DiRECTOR OF THE PRESS AND iNFORMATiON OFFiCE T heatre as a form of art, as well as photography, were born out of our need to express ourselves, create, experience our true emotions and bring soul, body and mind together. Theatre photography does not just simply capture scenes, describe or interpret a narrative. it constitutes the very essence of our relationship with theatre. This is why the theatre photographer cannot operate inde- pendently. He becomes one with the lens of his camera and part of the entire performance. He listens carefully and watches every moment, every gaze, every expression; he understands the space-time continuum of each scene, becomes part of the theatre team and complements it, adding his own piece to the end result. Theatre photography is in itself a very demanding art, even today, despite all available means. in the past, technology was a word one rarely heard, photographers worked in the theatre with 500- and 1000-watt theatre lights and a twenty-four- channel console was a true luxury, while passion for the craft, persistence for perfection and raw talent were indispensable. it was during these times, that two people, two best friends, Costas Farmakas and Giorgos Katsouris, decided to work together, fascinated by the novelty of their field of expertise. Already working together as photographers, they continued their collaboration in theatre photography and become industry pioneers in Cyprus. With the establishment of the Cyprus Theatre Organisation they embarked on a groundbreaking journey for the next ten years, recording images through their lens that captured the soul and essence of each play. Theatre photographs are valuable for historical and archival research. in a complex twofold role, they document past performances, theatre sets and costumes, depicting the theatrical expression of every era and at the same time, preserve the memories and emotions of our culture as a historic reference. Such archival photographic material constitutes a treasure trove for researchers and for the public in general. As an active guardian of our country’s collective memory through the archives it keeps, the Press and information Office, could not but include this ten-year documentation, in its archival pursuits. The photographic album The stage exposed, constitutes an archival exhibit of a period during which theatre and theatre photography in Cyprus were born and blossomed to set solid foundations for the future. This book is the result of a collabo- ration between the Press and information Office and the Cyprus Theatre Organisation, featuring photographs by Costas Farmakas and Giorgos Katsouris taken during THOC performances staged in 1971-1981. it is dedicated to our country’s theatre photography, in the hope that this form of art will eventually enjoy the appreciation it truly deserves. i would like to express warm thanks to the Cyprus Theatre Organisation for the cooperation, to the families of the two photographers for allowing us to use the photographs as well as to all who have worked diligently for this publication. Sophia A. Michaelidou